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Slovenia moves to secure China flights

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Slovenia is moving forward with plans to secure services to China next year. The Slovenian State Secretary within the Ministry for Infrastructure met with the head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in Beijing last week to discuss the establishment of flights between the two countries. The representatives of the CAAC "responded positively to the initiative to launch scheduled services between the two countries and provided assurances that there were no reservations in this matter", the Ministry for Infrastructure said. The State Secretary put an emphasis on Maribor's Edvard Rusjan Airport, presenting its development potential. The CAAC representatives welcomed Slovenia's activities targeted at the expansion of commercial aviation in the country and said they would offer technical assistance and support if necessary.

The talks come after an airline expressed interest to launch services between Xi'an and Ljubljana. The Slovenian Minister for Economic Development and Technology, Zdravko Počivalšek, said, "We are especially interested in improving land, sea and air connectivity with China. We expect that direct flights between China's north-western city of Xi'an and our capital city Ljubljana will be established soon". He added, "Connectivity with China will enhance bilateral tourism and people-to-people exchange, which is another very important aspect of our cooperation. Slovenia wishes to establish itself as one of the major logistic hubs of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in this part of the world". In May, Slovenia's Minister for Infrastructure, Peter Gašperšič, visited China where he held talks with China's Minister for Transport and the head of the CAAC. They discussed improving airline connectivity between the two countries.

Maribor Airport also expects to link Slovenia with China after SHS Aviation took over and established an airline with the aim of launching services to the Far East. Andrej Fištravec, the Mayor of Maribor, said, "I believe that SHS will start with flights inside Europe and once the infrastructure at Maribor Airport is developed, I think they will start continental flights to China". SHS has previously announced plans to commence services from Slovenia's second largest city to Xi'an, Chongqing and Nanchang in China. On the other hand, Ljubljana has been attempting to secure flights to the country for several years. In 2013 the airport's General Manager, Zmago Skobir, sent an invitation to China Southern Airlines to introduce services to the Slovenian capital. Last year, the Chinese Embassy in Ljubljana launched an initiative for flights between the two countries to be established, with a proposal for Hainan Airlines to operate its service from Beijing to Prague via the Slovenian capital.

I think we can all agree that the story of VLM starting flights from Maribor to China are just a bad joke. The airline hasn't launched a single flight out of Maribor over the past year except for 4 flights to Dubrovnik/Split in August.

However the story with VLM Airlines is not so black and white. Now they restarted their legendary route between Antwerpand London City. If you look at their frequences and fares on the route, you will see that it is not a joke. Just to mention, representatives of chinese investors were present on the route launch.

I believe they would have started routes from MBX as reported on this site, if they weren't surprised by Cityjet, who suddenly stopped flying on the ANR-LCY route.

Also at MBX they are working a lot on the project of lengthening the runway from 2500m to 3300m. Keep in mind that they (SHS Aviation or VLM Airlines) are paying 95.000 € for MBX per month. There has to be some reason to do so.

VLM should recive Belgian AOC within few weeks now.

VLM is really close to takeoer two A320 from bankcrupt Thomas Cook Belgium.

VLM applied for slots at several Chinese airports including Xi'an and Shenzen. And expects to start its long haul ops. from BRU.

I am not saying that ops from MBX to China are logical or that whole project of SHS Aviation has sense but it looks like that it is getting a shape...

"Keep in mind that they (SHS Aviation or VLM Airlines) are paying 95.000 € for MBX per month. There has to be some reason to do so."

Oh, they plan to lease/buy 30 aircraft, including widebodies, yet with a lease for the airport of 85k/month, they still need government financial help (185k in January)? Looks very promising, I have to say...

"Also at MBX they are working a lot on the project of lengthening the runway from 2500m to 3300m."

MBX is always like this. One day the ruwnay is too short, the next day there is no Cat 2/3, next day they need a brand new terminal, etc. And in the end, still no traffic. The sad reality is, there is no market there, full stop.

Take a look at INI. Airport with less infrastructure than MBX (no ILS, etc.), yet 4 airlines fly there. So...

Of course they fly from Antwerp. But still no published timetable (they will published it soon - so much use sentence in VLM), they sell ticket just via tourist agencies, no online selling (also coming soon), they plan more routes from Antwerp (and again soon)...

Croatia should do more to attract flights from China. But from statements I read from Minister for Tourism, he/ministry is reluctant and saying that Emirates flights serve this market well, which is a shame.

If Slovenia gets them then it's really bad news for Croatia as then they would have to compete with LJU/MBX, BUD, VIE and BEG. On top of that Bosnia and Montenegro have joined Serbia in creating a joint offer.

The Croatian market can easily be served via Slovenia. Even the whole coast.

I am waiting for a certain someone to write that this is a political route since it is being negotiated by the government and then say how they are copying another country. We had such comments yesterday, don't see why the same logic doesn't apply here.

To anybody in ex-Yu will be secured a long haul flight to China.That’s just an bubble in the air...ridiculous.Belgrade okZagreb possiblebut Slovenia, BiH, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro please forget it....

Slovenia, and especially Maribor, can compete on lower costs which are attractive in their relatively large catchment area.

As we've seen, ZAG is quite expensive so it isn't attractive to many 'adventurous' airlines. I mean even Eurowings complained. It could also be another reason why ZAG lost LH Mainline this winter. It's easier to compete with lower costs.

I think Slovenia as a country has a lot to offer. It's already doing well in attracting Chinese tourists. It is also close by to many countries so a good entry way to Central/East Europe. We will see. There has been a lot of talk lately about a possible flight so I think things are moving in the direction of flights actually starting.

Serbia and Slovenia are the region's star performers as far as Chinese tourism goes? Yet Croatia could possibly have more Chinese visitors this year than Serbia and Slovenia combined. In the first 8 months alone the number had already reached last end of year result, with just over 100,000. This year that could be some 140 - 150,000. Obviously the main reason why they are even considering Maribor, just like Zadar, are the low prices, a good business deal. That said, this could happen if everything goes as planned.

In 2017 there are going to be more than a million Serbian tourists travelling abroad. So you see, Serbia just like Slovenia, has both the inbound and outbound demand. That's why airlines keep on adding flights to Belgrade.

In conclusion, Serbia might be lagging behind but it's definitely catching up. It's interesting how everyone on here praised a measly one weekly charter flight from TLV to ZAG yet has conveniently left out that for two years now two Israeli airlines have been operating 4 weekly flights to Belgrade in addition to Air Serbia's 5 weekly. As you can see, the number of Israeli tourists are growing really fast.

I know you won't like these numbers but what can we do. It's not bad especially since we don't have a coast where we can show off Italian cultural heritage.

Anon @8:09AM Croatia isn't showing off culture. It does however have a whole lot of culture, cultural heritage and influences to show. Along the coastline, as well as in the hinterland...there's the Venetian, ancient Roman and Greek, indigenous Croatian cultural heritage - whether it be Mediterranean or central European, then there's a significant Austrian influence and the influence of the Balkans as well. Quite a rich mix. :) I imagine Serbia has its own cultural influences from all over the place too. As far as the Chinese tourists go, you might be catching up...great, congratulations! However Slovènia and Croatia are doing a great job as well, despite the fact that the Chinese need visas there and there are no direct flights from China for now. And ultimately Croatia is still well ahead of both countries with the consistently healthy growth of Chinese visitors. Both in terms of tourist and business arrivals. So relax mate, there's enough Chinese to go around. Thing is, Serbia and Slovenia are clearly not the only "star performers" in regards to Chinese tourists. When it comes to direct flights, the Chinese have their own, mostly business calculus there, and as it has been reported they had already approached both the Croatian authorities, as well as the business community and the main issue thus far have been the prices. On the other hand, in the mid to long term, it would be rather surprising if they don't introduce a direct flight to Croatia at some point.

According to announcements made almost on daily basis now, exYU region is about to become the European long haul hub for China, Korea and North America. SA, ST and MEB2 are digging trenches in panic, but it won't help them much.

The only problem is, reality in exYU tends to differ a bit from announcements.

I actually take the announcements seriously. Didn't in the past but many have actually materialized - flights from Belgrade to New York and Beijing, Emirates to Zagreb, Etihad buying into Jat... Nothing is impossible ;)

A couple of years ago China Southern Airlines wanted to buy LJU? They were in the running against Fraport and Vinci. Had they won, we probably would have already had flights between Ljubljana and China.

Belarus, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Serbia, Greece and maybe even Slovenia... all got flights to China while not a single city in Croatia is about to. This is a very wrong move as the market will become saturated. I hope the government wakes up and realizes that they are lagging behind.

Prauge and then bus to Ljubljana. I'm working at a hotel here in the bigger Ljubljana catchment area and I see every itenary for Chinese, Korean and Singaporean groups that stay overnight with us. While Korean and Singaporean people primarily use EK on ZAG and VCE, Chinese use Prague and then they hop on a bus to LJU where they stay overnight see Slovenian wonders on the next day and finish the day off in Croatia. Then they have the usual Balkan trip from there. My friends that work in some other hotels in the same area are reporting of the same thing. Prague landing and take off and bus to here on day 1. And there are a lot of Chinese groups visiting. A lot. We handled almost 450 in October. And we are only 1 hotel.

It's far more economical for EK/QR to cater for the Slovenian market via ZAG. However, I wouldn't be surprised if EK wouldn't be able to make ZAG work in winter without the Slovenes. Especially since our standard of living is higher.

as I said, both EK and QR of course have Slovenian passengers. But saying that Slovenia plays a key role is pushing it way too far...if LJU was key, why not fly to LJU and serve non key ZAG from LJU? At least with FZ. I mean, just logic....

Standartd of living is higher...what does that argument even mean in this context? That you are high yield? If you were so high yield you would have stronger traffic and not so dispersed elsewehere, as typical Slovenian passenger easily goes to any city (VCE, ZAG, VIE) for difference of mere 50EUR. That is not high yield. And one of the reasons why LJU has very modest connectivity (plus simple and obvious fact that the market itself is way smaller than ZAG or BEG).

Always the same story, EK is in ZAG and is still alive because of the rich Slovenes. How come then that they didn't choose the wealthy LJU then? It seems like you guys can fill a widebody from LJU in two seconds. Get real.

Well, first thing, LJU has only one real competitor and that's VCE. ZAG takes a share of the passengers but not the majority and it's mostly those going to Asia on Emirates and Qatar.

Second of all, when airlines like EK and TK start reducing ZAG in winter, the opposite happens in LJU. Let me remind you that TK does not reduce LJU in winter while it does with ZAG.

flydubai said it that 20% of the passengers that flew with them came from Slovenia. We can expect the same number with EK now. So if you remove 20% passengers, do you think 5 weekly B777 would be realistic? I dont think so.

Finally, Slovenes are rich which means they can afford to travel much more often than Croats.

Look at growth in LJU. That's all from the local market. It's not like SPU or DBV that grow because British and Germans come to swim and get drunk.

Proportionally to the size of the market, LJU has more airlines flying there.

not even 1 argument u use is valid- starting from like Slovenes being "rich" (richer than the rest in ex-yu, but havent even reached the EU average - let alone "rich")...to using 4k bying JP as an argument that LJU is a better market than ZAG. (JP was bought for peanuts because it was on a brink of bankruptcy).

I don't agree with everything that anon 3:40 says, but in some things he is right... Slovenians do fly regularly (its not based just on purchase power, but the fact that we like to spend money we have on travel). And since we are surrounded by hubs with good connections (Venice, Milano, Munich, Vienna, now also Zagreb) and the fact that our local offer is shitty, our market is distributed among these. This is also the reason why GoOpti is a star young company in Slovenia. However, you can be sure that if Ljubljana would improve connectivity to intercontinental destination this would attract the majority of Slovenians now using other airports even at a higher price, because no Slovenian would drive a couple of hours more just to save a couple of euros, we're just to lazy. I think this is best proven by Turkish Airlines. But we are still a small market, so it would be delusional to expect an increase of widebodies to Lju airport.

I think you're talking utter nonsense. Turkish is reducing Zagreb from 14 to 10-11 cause they always do in winters and you have Qatar, Emirates flying to Zagreb, two other major airlines that are competing on the same market. Add to this BA, KLM, AF, Lufthansa, Austrian, LOT.... You end up with a city that has good number of airlines.

Of course in winters there'll be less demand for some destinations.

Also we need to wait this winter to see how Zagreb does during the Advent, 125000 visitors expected in December, last year 110 000 visitors visited Zagreb during Advent.

As things look Zagreb Airport will handle 3.1 million this year. Not bad considering few airlines are cutting down winter flights. Brussels, Czech and Turkish.

Croats don't have tendency to travel as much, if they can drive they'll drive preferring it over flying to a destination.

Average pay in Croatia isn't that low or Croats aren't that poor as you like to think, average NET pay in Croatia is 6200 kuna, or $1000/€835, in Zagreb this average is 20% higher, or around 7500 kuna or $1210.

I don't think we need to raid food banks to afford to eat just yet. I'll let you know when we do, hopefully you send us food parcels when times arrives.

First of all TK reduced ZAG last winter, so it's not like it has always been like that. If I remember correctly this winter PRN and SKP are back to normal while ZAG is not. Why is that?

Let's not forget that EK initially planned daily flights in winter but they are also reducing them to 5 weekly. If Qatar didn't have all that capacity they would probably not increase ZAG this drastically.

Finally, this winter ZAG will not even have LH mainline but its cheaper branch that flies regional aircraft.

You are accusing me that I am full of it while you are the same.

Look at LJU's numbers and then look at its competition. Then take a look at ZAG and look how besides LJU there isn't a single airport that acts as real competition. With that circumstances ZAG should have many more pax.

Like I said, a considerable part of growth at Zagreb is thanks to the Slovenes. We are known to travel a lot while croats not so much, you said it yourself.

Ljubljana is getting more and more flights and the passenger numbers are booming this year. Like I said it today, it's all local demand baby. More is to come.

Well i know you're not from Slovenia, so you have this negative opinion of Croatia what ever the case.

EK reducing to 5, wasn't surprising, we expected it, even talked on this very blog, saying they must reduce in Winter, I said it, almost every Croatian bloger here said it.

TK reduced to 11 or w/e cause EK is here, Qatar is here with double daily A321. What did you expect will happen.

Lufthansa is only reducing Munich to 5 daily with CRJ or E195 not sure which one they're using on the route.

Again, EK and QR had significant impact on all airlines in Zagreb. Frankfurt is normally hub Croats use to fly out to US, Munich, Vienna, London, Paris and Amsterdam are 2nd choice.

Now 2nd choice hub list has expanded a fair bit, Istanbul, Doha, Dubai, Toronto in summer months will also become attractive for North American and South American flights. The fact Croats don't need visa for Canada and soon for US, also helps.

Who knows in few years time there'll be direct connection with Tokyo, Beijing and Seoul. I am sure you realize things are moving for better for everyone, even you Serbians are getting better connections out of Belgrade and I am sure Slovenians will do soon enough out of Ljubljana.

For now, many Slovenians use Zagreb, but a lot more of them go to Venice and Vienna, which are also about the same distance. Don't forget Vienna has massive airport, 26 million+, means a lot more connections. Munich is only 3 hours drive from Ljubljana, and that is a massive hub, 40 million +. Endless options.

I am Slovenian but I am sick and tired of Croats making fun of here and of ignoring our contribution in ZAG numbers. It's ok, LJU is actually developing and there will be less need to travel south to catch a plane.

Lufthansa is operating both FRA and MUC with its regional brand, I just checked online. No Airbuses scheduled this winter, so no mainline.

No, when EK announced flights everyone made calculations with them flying 80% full the whole year. some even said the A380 will be sent. The opposite happen in the end.

Qatar is launching 18 destinations in 2018, they have too mcuch capacity so we don't know if ZAG was upgraded because of need or because of circumstances.

Like I said yesterday LJU is getting more and more flights. Wizz Air even sent the A321 from Luton and Transavia is doing really well here and they are even increasing flights. There will be less and less Slovenes flying from other countries.

Ljubljana has big numbers this year only because it had miserable last year, and not because they have LF of 132%.Take your "we're so much reacher and important, but still for some reason don't have all these airlines" somewhere else, buddy.Period.

Sarajevo, Skopje, Pristina, Ljubljana... All have good chances in attracting decent number of airliners from Asia. Question is when, not if.

Just look at W European destinations to see how well some cities are doing, give 20-30 years to Sarajevo, Skopje, Ljubljana.... And easily you can see these places doing quite well when it comes to interconectivity.

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